Outstanding alumni and undergraduate students honored at the 2018 Department of Sociology and Criminology Award Ceremony

Outstanding alumni and undergraduate students honored at the 2018 Department of Sociology and Criminology Award Ceremony

Outstanding alumni and undergraduate students were honored at the 2018 Department of Sociology and Criminology Award Ceremony on April 13 at the Nittany Lion Inn.

Student Marshals were selected from each major to represent all graduating seniors in that major during commencement.  Brenna Fisher was selected to serve as the 2018 Sociology Student Marshal, and Candice Crutchfield was selected to serve as the 2018 Criminology Student Marshal.

In addition, Sociology Marshal nominees included Sarah Henry, Veronica Joyce, Mary Lawrence and Taylor Reynolds. Our Criminology nominees included Brenna Fisher, Sarah Henry, Mary Lawrence, Tessa Miller, Margaret O'Brien, Madison Plummer and Emily Tomasko.

Distinguished Graduating Senior Awards were presented to a Sociology major and a Criminology major who had a grade point average of 3.75 or above and a strong record of accomplishments outside the classroom—including activities such as education abroad, internships, working as a teaching or research assistant, and volunteer and community service.  Mary Lawrence was the recipient of the Sociology Award, and Madison Plummer was the recipient of the Criminology Award.

Michael Yerk, a senior Criminology major, was the recipient of the Trooper Dickson Memorial Scholarship. The Trooper Dickson Scholarship award was established by the Department of Sociology and Criminology Board of Visitors in 2015 to honor the memory of Pennsylvania State Trooper Bryon Dickson.

Robert P. Caruso (Law Enforcement and Corrections, 1974) received the 2018 Outstanding Alumni Award.  Mr. Caruso, who serves as Executive Director of the State Ethics Commission, was recognized for his success and influence as a leader, for his significant career achievements, and for being an outstanding role model for current students.